Alcatel OS6850-P48 User Guide - Page 78

Mounting the Switch OmniSwitch 6850 Series Chassis and Hardware Components Blank Cover Panels Blank cover panels are provided with your switch and are used to cover empty backup power supply bays and 10 Gigabit uplink bays (all OmniSwitch 6850 Series switches, except for OmniSwitch 6850-24, OmniSwitch 6850-P24, OmniSwitch 6850-48, and OmniSwitch 6850-P48). These cover panels play an important role in chassis airflow and temperature management. They also protect the switch's processor board and other sensitive internal switch components from physical damage by closing off the chassis. When blank cover panels are missing, air does not take the direct route from the air intake vent, through the chassis, and then out through the fan exhaust vents (see page 2-57). Instead, a portion of the airflow is allowed to be drawn in through the rear of the chassis. As a result, normal airflow is disrupted and an extra task is placed on the fans to cool the chassis. If your switch is not equipped with a backup power supply connection or 10 Gigabit uplink, and blank cover panels are not installed over empty bay locations, airflow is adversely affected. Since they regulate airflow and help protect internal chassis components, blank cover panels should remain installed over empty bays at all times. page 2-58 OmniSwitch 6850/6850E Series Hardware Users Guide June 2011